CHANGES IN JAPAN’S ARMY COMMAND

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 129, 25 February 1938, Page 11

CHANGES IN JAPAN’S ARMY COMMAND

Generals Said To Have Estranged Powers

(Received February 24, 8 p.m.) London, February 24. It is stated officially that the Japanese Emperor's uncle, Lieutenant-Gener-al Prince Yashuhiko Asaka, and Lieu-tenant-General Yanagawa have been recalled from Shanghai and that General Shunrutu Hnta has replaced General Matsui as Commander-in-chief states a Tokio message. No reasons are given for the changes. Conservatives have long advocated the recall of Prince Asaka, whom they blamed for the Japanese excesses at Nanking. Newspapers hail the trio of recalled generals as heroes. An Imperial dinner is being arranged in their honour. The recall of General Matsui and his principal divisional commanders is partly due to incidents embroiling Japan with foreign Powers and staining the Army’s record abroad, says the Tokio correspondent of "The Times.”

Imperial headquarters regret the effect of it oil world opinion, although incidents are still undisclosed to the Japanese public. The “Daily Telegraph's” Tokio correspondent says that General Matsui was recalled because the War Office objected to his demand to formulate an independent policy. x RUSSIAN PLANES Used In Air Raid On Formosa London, February, 23. The Chinese air raid on Formosa was carried out by twelve Russian planes, states the Shanghai correspondent of “The Times.” This indicates the development of the Chinese air force, the significance of which is not lost on the Japanese.

A Shanghai message states that a complaint which has been lodged at the British Consulate by the British firm of Heath, Limited, alleges that Japanese marines ransacked their premises, opened the safes, and departed with a quantity of steel and general merchandise. Sub-Lieutenant Kushige, who was in command of the party, informed the police that he was acting under instructions. The firm says he was told the premises were British, and that this is the third time property has been removed. JAPANESE DRIVE Attack On Yellow River North Bank (Received February 24, 8 p.m.) Tokio, February 24. The Japanese drive on the north bank of Yellow River continues. Tsiyuan and Tungliu have both been captured. It is reported that ten persons were killed and 30 were injured in the Taihoku air raid. The Japanese have arrested the Russian freighter Kuznetskstnoi, which anchored in a blizzard in the fortified zone at Hakodate. The Russian’s version is that they came into the zone for bunker coal. The Soviet Consul has protested against the seizure. He is not allowed on board.